If you're like me, hearing the media's initial response to the OBL tape has probably sent your blood pressure through the roof. However, the best response to events like this is not to shake our fists impotently at events out of our control, but to use our minds to creatively come up with useful responses. Here are 5 that I've come up with....
5 Things You can Do In Response to OBL Tape Story for the next 5 days:
- Make sure that you discuss the tape with your circle of friends, co-workers, and relatives, and use the tape to remind them of what a lousy job GW has done on the war in terror (especially mentioning Tora-Bora, Iraq as distraction and new center of terrorism, and missing explosives.)
- Make sure you remind the media that there are other stories out there that people care about. Use my daily diary FREEP YAHOO to rate up stories and photos and influence the media narrative. Several people who work in media companies acknowledge that people look at Yahoo News to see which stories are popular. Continue to write LTEs and take polls that show your opinions on other issues. In addition, call in to any talk radio talk shows you can get on to and make your voice heard about who you think Bin Laden was really trying to benefit. Make your arguments that Bush couldn't have asked for better timing than this in having the focus taken off the missing explosives, the $75 in extra funding for Iraq, or the new Halliburton investigation. Point out that OBL is not stupid; he knows quite well who he is helping by releasing this tape now.
- Come up with one creative idea -- however small -- that helps Kerry for the extra push needed in these last 5 days. We have an enormous wealth of creativity and mind power at this site. If each of us tries to come up with one new way to help, we can unleash a great amount of power.
- Make sure you get the word out on voter intimidation and what people should be looking out. Today AP had an excellent graphic showing different types of voter intimidation. E-mail it to everyone you know, print it out and pass it along. Don't allow the fear and heightened security become an excuse or cover for intimidation tactics.
- Finally, and most important: volunteer for GOTV. Show who you believe to be the best choice for commander-in-chief by donating your time. Make sure you mention your dedication to the above-mentioned circle of acquaintance and explain your reasons for believing Kerry to be the best choice.